BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS »

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Reach your audience in today’s digital world

This video is about how public relations practitioners need to use all possible channels to get their message out to the public.  Digital media allows people to match up the right medium for a certain message.  One of the newest mediums for public relations is YouTube.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Social Networking in Plain English

Here's a video about social networking sites.  The video does a great job at simplifying and explaining how social networks work.  The video also explains why these networks are beneficial.  Social networking sites are not only great for personal use, but also great for public relations practitioners.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

OurBlook Update

So, my group has finished the OurBlook project! Check out how we used YouTube as a PR communication tool to promote OurBlook.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

PR Community

This is a great video about how online PR is a valuable tool to build a community among journalist and other professionals. Check it out.

Friday, November 12, 2010

PR Web in Plain English

Here’s a video about a cool site let lets you generate and increase publicity.  It seems like a great PR tool.


Thursday, November 4, 2010

Why YouTube is Beneficial to Public Relations




In September 2009 Americans conducted 3.5 billion searches on YouTube. * Multimedia outlets have become one of the biggest trends in public relation.  
One reason is press releases now go to the media and consumers.  Before multimedia outlets, the media received press releases and diffused the information to consumers.  Now, public relations practitioners have the ability to communicate directly with publics.
To optimize press releases public relations practitioners should:
  • Conduct keyword research to find relevant terms (synonyms) that stakeholders will likely use.
  • Edit the press release to include the keywords, especially in the headline and first few sentences.
  • Add links so readers can easily locate related content.
  • Measure the results in brand awareness, website traffic, qualified leads and online sales.


“What’s the ROI on Your Press Release” *

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Executive Shift at Twitter


Evan Williams is the co-founder and chief executive of Twitter.  Williams has decided to step down and lead product strategy of the company.

Dick Costolo is currently chief operating officer.  Costolo will succeed Williams.

The company is at a period of rapid growth and is starting to build an advertising business.
The changes were effective immediately with Williams wanting to be more involved with the product.
Costolo should be a good fit for his new job title.  Costlol has experience expanding the company and is a three-time chief executive of other company’s.
The shift at Twitter should bring new and welcome changes to the company and its publics.
The shift at Twitter should not negatively affect the company due to loyal followers.  Twitter followers are loyal to the company’s brand.  This means followers will likely always give the company a chance to evolve unless the changes become overwhelming.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

HarperCollins Issues Apology for Errors

Jonathan Franzen has apologized for printing error that left dozens of spelling and punctuation mistakes in the first edition of his new novel.

            Spokeswoman for HarperCollins, Susanna Frayn, said about 8,000 copies of the first edition containing the errors were sold before the mistakes were discovered.
            The first edition of the book “Freedom” will be rushed to reprint.  After correction, customers with the flawed edition will get the corrected version.
            This mistake makes the publisher look bad as well as the author.  Franzen and HarperCollins have done a good job trying to correct the situation.  Hopefully readers will not look unfavorably upon the author.  HarperCollins is correcting the issue and appeasing customers with the wrong version. I believe the error is small enough to be resolved and may increase the books sales due to publicity over the errors.


Customer loyalty has been shown to increase when a company apologizes for its mistakes.  I think in this case, HarperCollins did a good job of explaining what happened, admitting fault and describing how they plan to fix the problem.

Source: New York Times-Franzen's British Publisher Apologizes for Errors-by:Dave Itzkoff

New Allegations Against Tour de France Winner


Three-time Tour de France winner, Alberto Contador, has tested positive for a banned drug.  Contador failed his first test at the Tour de France last summer.  The latest test was given by the International Cycling Union.



            This test detects a chemical called plasticizer that is found in plastic IV bags.  This positive could be the use of blood transfusions to increase endurance.  The World Anti-Doping Agency bans blood transfusions and intravenous infusions, except in medical emergencies.
            A test performed from the Tour de France showed high levels of a chemical that signifies doping.
            Contador released a statement saying he tested positive for clenbuterol, a weight-loss and muscle building drug.  Contador said he tested positive for clenbuterol from his consumption of tainted beef from Spain.
            Contador denied allegations of doping and said he knew nothing about the latest test.
            The problem with these allegations is the test to detect plasticizers from IV bags.  The test has been around for more than a year in anti-doping, but it has not been validated for use.  This means an athlete could easily question its validity.  Another problem is the lack of official confirmation.  The information concerning results has come from an anonymous source with knowledge of the test results.
            Contador’s press agent, Jacinto Vidarte, said his client has done nothing illegal and denies receiving any transfusions.



Contador’s endorsement deals with Sidi could be negatively affected by the allegations of doping.  If Contador looses favor with the publics Sidi appeals to, he could loose his contract.

Source: A Second Failed Test Puts Heat on Contador-New York Times-by:Juliet Macur

New Licensing of AIDS Drug May Start Patent Pool


The National Institution of Health became the first entity to license its patent on a new AIDS drug to an entity affiliated with the World Health Organization.
            This move has given official American backing to the controversial idea of a “patent pool.”  Even though N.I.H. has the rights to the patent on the drug, darunavir, it does not mean generic-drug makers will be able to make it cheaply for poor countries.


            This move does put increase pressure on drug makers to follow suit and allow licensing to patents.
            Many companies have been reluctant because they may fear loosing profits and control over the drugs quality.  Bad drug manufacturing by a company that buys licensing could damage a company’s reputation because they are still affiliated with the drug.
            “We ask that companies step up and collaborate so we can quickly see more affordable, easy-to-use pills getting into people’s mouths,” said Nelson Otwoma, head of Kenya’s Network of People Living with H.I.V./AIDS and a Unitaid board member.
            The companies are smart in thinking of possible problems that could result from releasing the patents to generic drugs.  The drug companies would have to make a continuous effort to make sure the drugs remain a quality product if they did decide to allow licensing to patents.

Source: New York Times-National Institutes of Health Licensing Its Patent on a New Drug for AIDS-by: Donald G. McNeil Jr.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

More Twitter Terms


Bigger Twitter: An app that can be used to post tweets longer than 140 characters on Twitter. Bigger Twitter works by placing a link in the tweet.
Direct message (DM): used on Twitter to let you send a private message (direct message) to a person you are following.
EMA: An acronym for "e-mail address" used on Twitter.

OurBlook Update

During the past few weeks my OurBlook group has met and discussed how we hope to increase traffic to the web site.  We have come up with great ideas but I think its best to keep things under wraps for right now.  In the meantime visit OurBlook.

To be continued…

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Public Relations and Twitter Terms


@: (at) - sends a message to a user

Boilerplate: a brief paragraph stating who you are, what you do, and how you do it, usually used as the first paragraph in a biography or last paragraph in a news release

Corporate fact sheet: one-page document that describes a company's principles, services, philosophy, fees. Includes address, telephone, fax and e-mail, and map to allow prospective clients or reporters to easily find a business

Fail Whale: an image of a whale held up by birds and nets. This image shows that Twitter has been overloaded or that a failure occurred within the service
#followfriday/#ff: every Friday you can use  #followfriday to suggest people to follow.
Lead time: period of time that reporters and producers need to prepare stories and information for publication or broadcast
#musicmonday/#mm: Monday is music day on Twitter. Tag used to suggest music to people on Mondays.

Talking head: television shot that shows only the upper shoulders, neck, and face of the person being interviewed. Usually accompanied by a computer-generated sign that appears mid chest identifying the person and his or her company
Tweetup: A real life meet up announced on twitter


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Drug Regulators Set Restriction for Avandia Sales

Drug regulators in Europe and the United States have restricted sale of the popular diabetes medicine Avandia.
The European Medicine Agency is suspending Avandia.  The Food and Drug Administration is allowing patients access to the medicine if doctors vouch that the patient has tried every other diabetes medicine.  The patient must also be informed of the medications risks.
Many doctors that have studied Avandia and feel the medication increases heart attacks in patients taking Avandia.  Doctors feel it is necessary to fully investigate the possible adverse health effects Avandia could cause.
The European Medicine Agency and the FDA should continue to investigate Avandia.  Because the European Medicine Agency is suspending the drug, it makes me wonder why the FDA is not doing the same. 
Other alternatives to Avandia should be presented to the patient.  Patients need to fully understand why the medicine is in question and how the use of Avandia may cease in Europe and the United States.

Great Associations and Resources For Journalist






Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Ourblook

In my Public Relations Media Programming class we are doing a group project for Ourblook.com.  The website is an authoritative source and aims to provide information about the industry to journalism and communication students. 

My class had our first interview with Sandy Ordonez about the future of the website and how our class would help develop it. 
  • Goal:  Bring people to the resource center
  • Resource center:  Area where conversation can happen amongst professionals and   students.
  • How Ourblook differs from other social media and networking sites:  Ourblook is special because it is a free culture movement where knowledge is free.  Ourblook is philanthropic and the people posting are considered experts (authoritative) in their fields.
I believe the website can become an influential site for professionals and future journalist. The site can help create community, provide resources and harbor interaction. This website is important to aspiring and professional journalists. 

With that said, check out this up and coming website here.
Follow Ourblook on Twitter here.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Social Media vs New Media

Social Media normally requires active participation.  An example of social media is Twitter.  New media like blogs, YouTube and podcasts do not require outside social participation.  Social media is an active outlet while new media tends to be more passive.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

2010 AP Stylebook

The 2010 AP Stylebook has arrived with some notable changes.
  • “website” is now one lower case word, instead of two.
  • A new Social Media Guidelines section has been added.  It includes information and policies  pertaining to social media networks like Facebook and Twitter.
  • Also included are entries on terms like app, blogs, click-throughs, friend and unfriend, metadata, RSS, search engine optimization, smart phone, trending, widget and wiki.
I really like the additions, especially the section on Social Media Guidelines. These guidelines will be useful because PR practitioners are using social media sites more often.  
    For more information on these changes, click here.

    Thursday, September 2, 2010

    New Social Media World

    Before entering the social media pool there are a few key terms you should know about. 
    Blook: A collection of blog postings that can be published as a printed book.
    Facebook: A social networking site originally targeted towards college students.  This site helps people keep in touch and network.
    Google Docs: Web-based application by Google with word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service.
    #Hashtag: A tag used to put Twitter post into categories according to   topics.
    Linkedin: Business oriented social networking site.
    MySpace: Social networking site.
    Twitter: A social networking site that lets people stay connected through text message updates up to 140 characters in length.
    Twitter party: A virtual party where participants tweet about specific topics.